Wilson-less Beach Boys coming New Year's Eve to Mystic Lake

Blog Post by: Chris Riemenschneider

September 24, 2012 - 3:26 PM

Mike Love is pointing his way to Mystic Lake Casino for New Year's Eve with his revamped Beach Boys lineup. / AP Photo, Rick Rycroft

It might sound like a belated Christmas present for Beach Boys fans in Minnesota, but the Boys unit coming to Mystic Lake Casino for a pair of shows on New Year’s Eve is not the original Beach Boys team with Brian Wilson that reunited on tour earlier this year – a tour that sadly never came to our area.

The Mystic Lake shows will feature Wilson’s cousin Mike Love along with longtime member Bruce Johnston but none of the other core members of the group. Love retains ownership of the band name when it comes to road shows, and he is starting to use it as he wishes again even before the original members' reunion has ended. Before their London shows this week, co-founder Al Jardine has gone so far as to start an online petition urging fans to voice their opposition to Love's "money-saving, stripped-down" version of the band. Boy, those London shows should be real harmonious.

For those fans who don't mind showing Love the love, tickets ($49 and $59) are now on sale via 952-445-9000 or www.mysticlake.com. Show times are 7 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Perhaps Mike will make it to town two nights early to catch his nephew Kevin Love of the Timberwolves compete against Phoenix at Target Center on Dec. 29. Not nearly as likely, perhaps fans will get to celebrate with real bubbly that night if Mystic Lake moves ahead with talk of permitting alcohol. If that proves to be true, by the way, you can expect a lot more concerts out at the casino in Prior Lake.

Buddy Guy / Star Tribune file

Another new concert announcement today: Buddy Guy and former Twin Citian Jonny Lang will pair up for a bluesy double-header March 10 at the State Theatre. Tickets go on sale Friday at 11 a.m. for $53.50 or $63.50 via Ticketmaster.